Sterilizing cabinet for liquid mixers



1951 J. w. HAYES, JR 2,565,426

STEZRILIZING CABINET FOR-LIQUID MIXERS Filed Sept. 14, 1950 2Sheets-Sheet l Ennentov an iw (Ittorneg g- 21, 1951 J. w, HAYES, JR2,565,426

STERILIZING CABINET FOR LIQUID MIXERS Filed Sept. 14, 1950 2Sheets-Sheet 2 mi uh. L: 2'12"- ":14

Zinventor Gttorneg Patented Aug. 21, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENr orHcESTERILIZIN G CABINET FOR LIQUID MIXERS John w, Hayes, Jr, Roanoke, Va.Application September 14, 1950, Serial No. 184,800

This invention relates to improvements inmixer, or more commonly knownas a milk shake mixer, by means of an ultra violet light.

When milk shake mixers are used in soda fountains or the like, it isimpractical to cleanse and sterilize the mixer thoroughly after everyuse. Consequently, it is the customary practice in most soda fountainstoday to wash a milk shake mixer but once or twice a day, and thenoftentimes only to give the same merely a wiping 01f. The ice cream,milk, flavoring, and any other ingredients which go to make up a milkshake or similar stirred drink, make an ideal breeding ground formicrobes, bacteria and disease germs, ever present in the airtherearound. Every time such a mixer is used, a small amount,

at the best, of the mixture will be left adhering to the stirrer, andusually will be splattered onto the mixer support, motor and the like,where it will remain until the next time the mixer is used or the mixeris washed or wiped oil. During the interim, that is, between the mixingof one drink and the next, air borne microbes, bacteria, and germs,accumulate on the mixer, breed and multiply under these idealconditions, and remain there to come off into the next drink mixed.Flies, as well as other insects, are attracted by the sweet stickysubstance left on the mixer and they also add to the contamina-Obviously, this is an unsanitary Up to the present,

tion thereof. and unhealthful practice. the only known method ofguarding against this was to cleanse the stirrer and machine after eachuse, which, as pointed out above, is seldom,- if ever, done. Q

One object of this invention is to overcome the above objections and toprovide a mixer with an ultra violet lamp which keeps the mixer sterileat all times.

Another object of this invention is to provide a housing for a mixerwhich keeps the air that surrounds the mixer sterile and free fromgerms, bacteria, microbes, and the like, at all times.

Another object of this invention is to provide a housing for a'mixerwhich keeps the air, as well as the contents therein, sterile and isautomatic in its operation, requiring no conscious effort on the part ofthe operator of the mixer to operate the sterilizing apparatus.

A further object of this invention is to provide a timer for a mixerwhich controls the time the drink is stirred by the mixer and shuts offthe same automatically at the endof a predetermined 8 Claims. (01.250-51) 2 time interval, and thus prevents over or under mixing of thedrink.

To accomplish the above objects, I provide a housing that'completelyencases a mixer, such as a milk shake mixer, or the like, and isprovided with a suitable opening in the wall thereof permitting accessto the inside of the housing and to the mixer. Preferably, the openingis closed by an automatically operable door which remains closed unlessmanually opened. The inside of the housing is bathed in an ultra violetlight, thereby maintaining the air surrounding the mixer, and the mixeritself, entirely free of all air borne germs, bacteria, microbes, etc.,regardless of the amount of the mixture remaining on the stirrer orother parts of the mixer, and also regardless of the time this materialstays thereon.

I also prefer to provide a timer mounted in the base of the housing,which makes it possible to predetermine the time the mixture is stirredand automatically shuts the mixer off at the end of this time,therebyavoiding the necessity for opening the door of the housing toobserve the mixture to see if it has been stirred long enough, andprevent over or under stirring of the mixture by inexperienced orcareless operators. I

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent asthe discussion proceeds and when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings showing an embodiment of my invention, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a housing embodying my invention, withthe door open;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of my housing, with the door closed;

Fig. 3 is a crosssection of the housing embodying my invention, taken onthe line 3-3 of Fig. l, with the electrical connections showndiagrammatically;

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on the line l-- l of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan View of the housing embodying my invention, andwith the electrical connections shown diagrammatically; v

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the housing looking from rear tofront, showing the door in a closed position; and

Fig. 7 is a cross section taken along the line 1-4 in Fig. 1. 1

Turning now to a detailed description of a sterilizing cabinet embodyingmy invention, the numeral I0 designates, generally, a housing which, asil1us'trated,- may be circular in cross section, but it is to beunderstood that it may be rectangular, square, or any particular shapedesired. However, a round or circular housing has been illustrated, asthe same is preferred because, due to the absence of corners, it iseasier to keep clean and occupies less space. The housing It! may alsobe made of any material desired, such as glass, plastic, sheet metal, orthe like. If made of glass or plastic, the housing may be transparent ortranslucent to lend an attractive appearance to the device.

The numeral II designates an upstandin side wall of the housing ID. Asuitable cover I2 is provided on the top of the sidewall II, and a baseI3 on the bottom thereof. The base I3, like the housing I I, may be ofglass, plastic, wood'or metal. The cover I2 may be'secured rigidly bysoldering or otherwise, or detachably mounted on the side wall I I, asdesired. The side wall' I I may be secured to the base I3 in any waydesired, but it is preferred thatsuitable provision be made fordetachably securing it tothebase I3 to permit morecomplete accessto theinside of the housing Ii] for the purpose of thoroughly cleansing thesame.

An openin it is provided inthe side wall II, as bestshown in Figs. 1, 2and 8. Normally closing the opening I lis a .door I5, which isprovidedwith a knob 01 handle I6 for the purpose of permitting manual operationof the door I5.

Anti-friction rollers I! are suitably mounted on. the door I5 bymeansofiblackets IB, as shown. A track is is mounted upon theinside ofthe side wall II by means of suitable brackets 20 and, as shown in'Fig.3, supports the anti-friction rollers I1 and consequently thedoor I5.The track I9, preferably, is positioned so as vto extend from one sideof the opening I4 around the inside of the side wall II a distancebeyond the opening I4 approximately equal to the width thereof so as topermit full sliding movement of the door I5 across the opening I4.

The track I9 may be inclined, as shown, or levelv if additional doorclosing means is provided therefor. The lowermost end of the track I9,if inclined, is just adjacent the edge of the opening I4 nearest theknob I 6 when the door i5 is. closed. While the track I9 has beenillustrated and described as being below-the door and opening,:it is tobe understood that this track I9 maybe located near the top oftheupstanding side wall and the door, with the rollers II hung therefrom,without departing from the spiritof my. invention.

In order to slidablysupport the top of the. door I5 and keep it fromfalling off the track, there is provided a pair of brackets 2|, asbestshown in Figs. 3 and 6. Securely affixed-to the brackets 2| is a strip22 which is shown as substantially fiat and bears laterallyagainst thetop .of the door I5 to hold the door upright. The strip 22 extendssubstantially parallel to,.and may be inclined with, the track I9.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the door I5 being, supportedupon the inclined track I9 by means of the anti-friction rollers 17,will close automatically and remain in a closed position, as shown inFig.2, at all times unless held open manually.

-If desired, closureoperating means 23 maybe provided either with alevel or an inclined .track, and is shown in the form. ofacounterweight-M suspended from a flexible cable-25, which,-as bestshown in- Figs. :6: and 7 is-secured t thetop of the door I by means-ofa finger'ls provided 4 thereon and passes through an eyelet 21' and overa pulley 21. The closure operating means 23 will pull the door l5 into aclosed position whenever manually released. The counterweight may havesubstituted therefor a spring or the like, if desired.

The opening I4 should be of a size so as will permit ready access to thecontents within the housing and should be large enough so as to permitplacing therein a can 30, such as is found on a milk mixer 3I ofconventional size and design. The opening may also be sufficientlylarge, if desired, so as to make it possible to remove the milk mixer3|, with its motor 32 therethrough, or the mixer may be removed from thehousing In simply by detaching the side wall II .from the base I3 andlifting the same up over the mixer 3I.

.Anultra violet lamp 35 emits radiations around 2537 Angstrom units, butwith a sufficient range of germicidal properties to kill all microbes,bacteria, germ life and the like. The lamp 35 is provided within thehousing It! and is shown here by way of illustration as being suspendedfrom the top I2 by means of a bracket 36 which supports a socket 31. Thesocket 31 and source 35 of ultra violet light may be of conventionaldesignand purchased on the open market. Therefore, a further detaileddescription of such a lamp would serve no useful purpose in describingthis invention. However, it is to be understood that any number of lampsmay be placed in the housing Ill and in any desired location therein.without departing from the spirit of my invention.

The socket'31 is connected in series with a ballast 39, and to aconventional volt electric current by means of wires 38, a cord lil anda plug 4!.

In order to permit the removal of the mixer 3| fromthe housing Ill,a-socket (i2 is provided in the base 3I. A plug 42, connected to themotor 32 by .means of the usual cord 32' is detachablyinserted into thesocket 42. The socket 422 is connected to the cord 40 and the plug 4| bymeans of Wires 43.

A timingswitch 44, operated by a knob 45, is .connected in series withone of the wires 43 for thepurpose of controlling the length of time themixture is stirred in the can 30 by the mixer 3|. The .timing switchmechanism may beof conventional design and any one of several nowobtainable on the open market may be used. Therefore, the specificdetails of the timing mechanism 44. need not be explained here for a.complete understanding of my invention. However, the timing mechanismshould be a type which shuts off the electric current to the mixer 32vafter a pre-selected mixing time has elapsed.

A pilot signal lamp 46 may be mounted in thebase l3 and connected inparallel across the plug 42. This will indicate to the operator when themixer 3| is in operation.

The operation of my device is as follows: The plug M is inserted intoany outlet socked carrying 110 volts. This lights the ultra-violet lamp35 and the inside of the housing I!) together with the mixer 3| isexposed to the ultra-violet radiations. The'door I5 of .the housing Ill,remaining closed at all.times,.except when the can 30 is being placed.on .orremoved from the mixer, keepsthe sterilized .-air within thehousing I0 substantially free. from dilution by flies, insects andimpures germ-laden. outside air.

Thus, the mixture allowed to remain on the mixer 3| and in the can 30,if any, is never given a chance to accumulate and breed bacteria, germs,and the like. The last drink mixed at the end of the day is thereby aspure and germfree as the first drink mixed after the mixer has beenwashed.

By using a timer 44, a uniform stirring will be afforded each drinkmixed, and over or under stirring of the mixture, as often is the casewhen inexperienced operators mix the drink or when too little attentionis given thereto, will be prevented.

It is to be understood that changes in the material and relative size ofthe housing, the particular source of ultra-violet light, and variouselements in the housing and electrical apparatus, may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit of my invention as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A sterilizing cabinet for a liquid mixer comprising a housing adaptedto enclose said mixer therein, a door in said housing permitting accessto said mixer, an inclined arcuately shaped track mounted on saidhousing, anti-friction means supporting the door on said track, saidinclined track being positioned to cause said door to move thereon bygravity to a closed position, and a source of ultra-violet light in saidcabinet in a position to illuminate the mixer and surrounding airwhereby the mixer and air are sterilized.

2. A sterilizing cabinet for a liquid mixer comprising a cabinet adaptedto enclose said mixer therein, a door in said housing permitting accessto said mixer, an inclined track mounted on said housing, said trackbeing oifset with respect to said housing, anti-friction means mountedon said door and supporting the same on said track, said inclined trackbeing positioned to cause said door to move thereon by gravity to aclosed position, and means located in said housing adapted to receive anultra-violet lamp, said means being positioned so as to permit a lampcarried thereby to bathe the mixer and surrounding air in said light.

3. A cabinet for a milk mixer comprising a I cylindrical wall adapted toenclose a milk mixer therein, said housing having an opening in thecylindrical wall thereof permitting access to said mixer, an inclinedcurved track mounted on the cylindrical wall and positioned therein, anarmate door for said opening, anti-friction supporting means carried onand supporting said door on said inclined track whereby said door isnormally maintained in a closed position, and means mounted in saidcabinet for supporting an ultraviolet lamp therein, said means beingpositioned so as to permit a lamp therein to bathe the mixer and airsurrounding the same in said light.

4. A cabinet for a liquid mixer coniprisiiig a housing adapted toenclose said mixer therein, a door on said housing permitting access tosaid mixer, an inclined curved track mounted on said housing, andanti-friction means supporting the door on said track, said inclinedtrack being positioned to cause said door to move thereon by gravity toa closed position.

5. A cabinet for a milk mixer comprising a cylindrical wall adapted toenclose a malted milk mixer therein, said housing having an opening inthe cylindrical wall thereof permitting access to said mixer, aninclined track mounted on the cylindrical wall and positioned therein,an arcuate door for said opening, and anti-friction supporting meanscarried on and supporting said door on said inclined track whereby saiddoor is normally maintained in a closed position,

6. A sterilizing cabinet for a liquid mixer comprising a housing adaptedto enclose said mixer therein, a door in said housing permitting accessto said mixer, an arcuately shaped track in said housing, means forsupporting the door on the track, meansfor causing the door to move onthe track by gravity to a closed position, and a source of ultra-violetlight in said cabinet in a position to illuminate the mixer andsurrounding air whereby the mixer and air are sterilized.

7. A sterilizing cabinet for a liquid mixer comprising an uprighthousing adapted to enclose a mixer therein, said housing having a sideopening therein for access to the mixer, a door for closing saidopening, and a source of ultra-violet light in the top of the cabinet inposition to illuminate and sterilize the mixer and the surrounding air.

8. A sterilizing cabinet for a liquid mixer comprising an uprighthousing adapted to enclose a mixer therein, said housing having a sideopening therein for access to the mixer, a door for closing saidopening, means for causing the door to move to closed positionautomatically, and a source of ultra-violet light in the top of thecabinet in position to illuminate and sterilize the mixer and thesurrounding air.

JOHN W. HAYES, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Num er Name Date 1,898,365 Harding Feb. 21, 19332,253,250 Selig Aug. 19, 1941 2,339,315 Alio Jan. 18, 1944 2,414,929Civkin Jan. 28, 1947 2,490,142 MacDougall Dec. 6,-1949 2,507,676Nathanson May 16, 1950

